Show ContentsBlaxter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Blaxter

What does the name Blaxter mean?

The Blaxter name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Blaxter was originally a name given to someone who worked as a fabric bleacher having derived from the Old English word blaecan which means to bleach.

Early Origins of the Blaxter family

The surname Blaxter was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Blaxter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blaxter research. Another 234 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1275, 1307, 1500 and 1608 are included under the topic Early Blaxter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blaxter Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Blaxter are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Blaxter include: Blackistor, Blacistor, Bleckestere, Blakestare, Bleckster, Blaxter, Blexter and many more.

Early Notables of the Blaxter family

More information is included under the topic Early Blaxter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Blaxter family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Blaxter or a variant listed above: George Blackiston, who came to Maryland sometime between 1634 and 1789; Nehemiah Blackiston, who came to Maryland in 1668; William Blackiston, who came to Maryland in 1674.


Contemporary Notables of the name Blaxter (post 1700) +

  • Sir Kenneth Lyon Blaxter (1919-1991), English animal nutritionist from Sprowston, England
  • Loraine Blaxter, lecturer at the School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick


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